Bobcat Launch for Lunch

Gallery: WildlifePosted October 25, 2013247 views13 comments

This Bobcat has homed in on a ground squirrel (dark spot on rt side of frame) and is a millisecond from the jackpot as you see him here. This frame is heavily cropped. I spent about 5 hours watching this Bobcat throughout the day just outside Estes Park, Colorado April 2013 as it caught ground squirrel after ground squirrel throughout the day. I have been following this site for several years and just recently felt like my skill level might be getting to where I felt comfortable making a submission. Looking for feedback and realize I have a long way to go, but have to start somewhere. Appreciate your comments!Thanks!

Shot with a Canon 1DX, 500 mm IS lens handheld
ISO 200, f/5.6, 1/4000

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 25, 2013 at 11:44 PM

Hi Christopher, welcome to the Wildlife Gallery. I bet those were 5 very well spent hours, with a great wild subject like this. I'm more of a cropper than a cloner, but in this case with a simple white background sans detail it might be worth trying to clone out the vertical oof twig just behind his body; I do find it detracts from this otherwise elegant and bold composition. The body posture is excellent, coiled and ready to pounce with great focus. A very nice first post that I enjoyed viewing.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Cross on October 25, 2013 at 11:54 PM

I think many of us would be happy to have this on our memory card. I hope you continue to post. This is a wonderful slice of survival (or not) in the wild. Bobcats are not easy targets but to get one pouncing on prey is really great. This image shows great action, has nice detail, and is well composed. Beautiful colors on the fur of the bobcat which is shown off nicely by the snow. Agree with Gary on the oof stem but that's easy to fix. You might do the same on that blob of veg on the rt top.

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Ramy on October 26, 2013 at 12:27 AM

Great first post Christopher
Outstanding action, good detail and the Pano crop works very well. I agree with the cloning comments already mentioned. Comfort is not what you need for posting, Comfort is gained by posting, keep 'um coming.
Well done . . .

Registered on June 16, 2012, 567 Posts, 2809 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on October 26, 2013 at 3:28 AM

Christopher,
Welcome

Whist it is difficult to see at this resolution I think this shows off the 1DX capabilities for vlarge cropping. Great action captured here, I agree about tidying up the OOF twig,

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Brookhart on October 26, 2013 at 12:27 PM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Here is an attempt to do the suggested work. My first attempt at cloning. Let me know what you think.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 10 Posts, 36 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on October 26, 2013 at 1:53 PM

The cloned image works very nice here, Christopher. An excellent action shot of this Bobcat overall.

Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on October 26, 2013 at 2:31 PM

I think the cloning has improved the photograph Christopher. I'm a bit confused about the identity of the prey. The dark spot you refer to looks more like a vole, at least in this photo. I'm basing this on size and shape. Maybe I'm visually confused (some think I'm just confused) but the prey appears to be about 4 ft (1.21 meters) from the nose of the bobcat. Is the prey perhaps partially buried in the snow?

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Brookhart on October 26, 2013 at 5:31 PM

Thanks! I believe it is a ground squirrel based on the frames I have of the critter in the Bobcat's mouth which I also plan to post here. I think part of the issue is the topography rises and falls and some of the critter is either under the snow or behind a highpoint in the snow. But I am no expert on small rodents by any means. Thanks again everyone for taking the time to look and give feedback.

Registered on January 29, 2010, 10 Posts, 36 Comments

Comment posted by James Blue on October 26, 2013 at 9:24 PM

Christopher, very cool shot! Heavy crop or not, your efforts captured an action packed event with the Bcat launching himself toward lunch. Love the tucked legs and windswept ear tufts! You've got the inclination, determination and gear....I'm looking forward to seeing more of your images.

Jim

Registered on June 16, 2013, 16 Posts, 144 Comments

Comment posted by David Sewell on October 27, 2013 at 9:05 AM

The repost is a definite improvement, and I wish my first post had been half as good as this one!

David

Registered on September 10, 2008, 63 Posts, 801 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on October 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM

Welcome to NPN! You show wonderful timing in this frame. The repost is indeed stronger. I wonder if you could have a little more space all around, without the pano crop closing in on the subject and action.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by John Tobias on October 28, 2013 at 10:21 AM

I guess I am doing this backwards as I commented on your second post and not this one. Your repost is very good. I actually like this one better due to the position you caught the bobcat in. Thanks for sharing.

Registered on September 12, 2009, 2120 Posts, 6455 Comments

Comment posted by Chris Brookhart on October 30, 2013 at 1:34 AM

Thanks everyone for your wonderful words of encouragement. Makes me feel like I am heading in the right direction. Just wish I had more time to devote to gathering new images. Won't get that chance until xmas break for a winter trip to Yellowstone. Thanks again !!!

Registered on January 29, 2010, 10 Posts, 36 Comments